Best Acrylic Paint for Impasto

Best Acrylic Paint for Impasto – Top Picks for Rich, Textured Artwork

If you’re an artist who loves bold texture and dramatic strokes, impasto painting is your language. But when it comes to selecting the best acrylic paint for impasto, the choice of product can make or break your results. Not all acrylic paints are created equal especially for techniques that require thick application, knife strokes, and visible brush marks.

This in-depth guide explores the top acrylic paints perfect for impasto, breaking down what to look for, recommended brands, real user experience, and tips to get the best out of your textured masterpiece.

What is Impasto Painting?

Impasto is a technique where paint is laid thickly onto a surface so that brush or palette knife marks remain visible. The resulting texture adds depth, light reflection, and emotion to the piece. While traditionally associated with oil paints, modern artists often turn to heavy-body acrylics for impasto because they dry faster, are easier to clean, and are more accessible.

Key Features to Look For in Acrylic Paint for Impasto

To achieve successful impasto with acrylics, choose paints with the following characteristics:

• Heavy Body or Extra Heavy Body: These have a thick consistency that holds shape well.
• High Pigment Load: Rich, saturated color even when applied thickly.
• Smooth Yet Firm Texture: Stiff enough for knife work, smooth enough for blending.
• Flexibility When Dry: Prevents cracking or flaking.
• Compatible With Mediums: Can be mixed with gel mediums for more texture.

Top 7 Best Acrylic Paints for Impasto in 2025

1. Golden Heavy Body Acrylics

Best Overall

Golden is widely regarded as the gold standard in acrylics, especially for impasto. Their Heavy Body Acrylics have a thick, buttery consistency that’s ideal for palette knife application.

• Pros:
  • Exceptional pigment load
  • Maintains peaks and brush strokes
  • Compatible with Golden gel mediums
• Cons:
  • Premium price
• Best For: Professionals and serious artists looking for museum-quality results

2. Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic Paint

Best for Versatility

Liquitex offers excellent color vibrancy and has a reliable, dense texture that’s great for impasto. Its formulation includes a high-viscosity binder to hold ridges and knife strokes.

• Pros:
  • Rich color options
  • Easy to work with
  • Mixes well with gels and pastes
• Cons:
  • Some colors are slightly less opaque
• Best For: Artists who want reliable performance at a lower cost than Golden

3. Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic

Best for Blending in Impasto

This high-end acrylic paint has a unique satin finish and creamy texture that’s excellent for thick strokes but still allows smooth transitions between colors.

• Pros:
  • Excellent blending capability
  • Strong permanence rating
• Cons:
  • Slightly softer than other heavy bodies
• Best For: Artists focusing on both impasto texture and color gradients

4. Blick Artists’ Acrylic Heavy Body

Best Budget Option

Blick’s house brand is surprisingly competitive. Their Heavy Body line performs well for the price, offering good texture and vivid pigmentation.

• Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Good consistency
  • Decent pigment load
• Cons:
  • Slightly less thick than premium brands
• Best For: Students and beginners testing impasto techniques

5. Amsterdam Expert Series

Best for Large-Scale Textured Works

From Royal Talens, the Amsterdam Expert line has a thick body and comes in large tubes, making it cost-effective for big canvases with lots of texture.

• Pros:
  • Affordable for large-scale painting
  • Vibrant pigments
  • Strong consistency
• Cons:
  • Some pigments are less lightfast
• Best For: Artists creating mural-sized or expansive impasto works

6. Matisse Structure Formula

Best for Knife Work

This Australian brand delivers a firm texture that works exceptionally well with a palette knife. The “Structure Formula” was designed specifically with impasto in mind.

• Pros:
  • Holds knife marks well
  • Vibrant, unique color range
• Cons:
  • Limited availability in some countries
• Best For: Knife-based impasto artists

7. Pebeo Studio Acrylics High Viscosity

Best Student-Grade Option

Pebeo’s heavy-body paints offer good performance for students and hobbyists looking to experiment without investing heavily in premium brands.

• Pros:
  • Budget-friendly
  • Thick enough for textured work
• Cons:
  • Less pigment-dense than pro brands
• Best For: Beginners and art students learning impasto

How to Maximize Impasto Effects with Acrylics

1. Use a Palette Knife: You’ll get more defined ridges and texture compared to a brush.
2. Mix with Gel Mediums: Add volume and increase drying time for smoother manipulation.
3. Work Quickly: Acrylic dries fast—plan your strokes ahead.
4. Layer Gradually: Avoid cracking by building up texture slowly.
5. Use a Rigid Surface: Stretched canvas or wood panels are ideal to support the weight of thick paint.

Impasto Tools That Pair Well With Acrylics

• Palette knives of varying shapes
• Heavy gel medium (gloss or matte)
• Modeling paste for 3D sculptural effects
• Textured brushes or synthetic bristle brushes
• Acrylic retarders to slow drying time

13 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you do impasto with acrylic paint?

Yes! Acrylics, especially heavy-body formulas, are ideal for impasto due to their fast drying time and ability to hold thick textures.

2. Do I need special tools for impasto?

While brushes can work, palette knives and modeling tools are best for thick, dramatic textures.

3. What’s the best surface for impasto painting?

Rigid surfaces like canvas boards or wood panels work best to support the weight of thick acrylic layers.

4. Can I mix acrylic paint with gel mediums for impasto?

Absolutely. Heavy gel mediums or modeling paste can increase volume and slow drying time.

5. Will thick acrylic paint crack when dry?

It can, especially if applied too thickly without support. Use gel mediums and allow layers to dry slowly.

6. Is heavy-body paint better than soft-body for impasto?

Yes. Heavy-body paint retains knife and brush marks, while soft-body acrylics are better for smooth blending.

7. How long does impasto acrylic paint take to dry?

Thick applications may take 1–3 days to dry fully, depending on humidity and added mediums.

8. Can I use student-grade paint for impasto?

Yes, but it may not hold texture or color as well as artist-grade paints.

9. Should I varnish my impasto acrylic painting?

Yes. Once fully cured, apply a clear acrylic varnish to protect texture and color.

10. Can I combine oil and acrylic in impasto?

Not recommended. Acrylics should not be painted over oils, and the different drying times can cause cracking.

11. Which brand lasts the longest without fading?

Golden, Winsor & Newton, and Liquitex all offer paints with high lightfastness ratings, ensuring longevity.

12. How do I store leftover impasto paint?

Use airtight containers and mist with water to keep acrylics moist for future use.

13. Can I use impasto acrylics outdoors?

If properly sealed with UV-protective varnish, impasto acrylic works can be displayed outdoors.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Acrylic Paint for Impasto

If you’re aiming for maximum texture, color intensity, and durability, your best bet is a heavy-body acrylic paint from a reputable brand. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, the key is to find the right balance between paint consistency, pigment load, and affordability for your unique style and needs.

Golden Heavy Body Acrylics are the top recommendation for professionals, but Liquitex and Winsor & Newton also provide excellent results. For beginners, Blick and Pebeo offer budget-friendly ways to get started with impasto without sacrificing too much quality.